The information and broadcasting ministry on Friday announced the removal of Pahlaj Nihalani as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), replacing him with noted adman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Nihalani whose term was to end in January next year courted controversies after assuming office for trying to censor films and refuse certification. Speculation of his preterm removal gained traction after he stalled Madhur Bhandarkar's Indu Sarkar, a film based on Emergency.

Announcing the appointment of Joshi as chairperson of the certification board for three years or till further orders, the Ministry did not specify any reasons for the removing Nihalani.